C of O Women’s Basketball Lady ‘Cats expect game to be competitive

    Tonight’s inaugural alumni game at College of the Ozarks promises to be competitive. After all, most of the former Lady ‘Cats who will be on hand can count on one hand how many games they lost at Keeter Gym.

    “Any game with (2008 grad) Janessa DeMuth playing is going to be competitive,” said 2009 grad Lindsy Murray, who actually never tasted defeat at home in her three seasons as a Lady ‘Cat.

    DeMuth and Murray are among four All-Americans and 24 former C of O players who will suit up for Rebound and Rebuild, a fundraiser for the Joplin girls basketball team. The game will tip off at 7 p.m., with a silent auction featuring more than 50 items and various activities for youngsters on tap, as well.

    The majority of former Lady ‘Cats who will be back played within the past five years, but there are also a handful of players from the 1990s.

    “It will be good to meet players I’ve only heard about through (coach George Wilson and assistant Becky Vest),” DeMuth said.

    DeMuth, arguably the best all-around player in C of O’s rich history, has been a fixture on campus most of this month while working as an instructor at Wilson’s camps. Since her playing days, she went on to Missouri State and gained a doctorate in physical education. DeMuth’s wedding date is fast approaching. She will marry Branson grad Logan Hughes on July 2.

    They’ll reside in Detroit, where Hughes is an assistant baseball coach for Wayne State.

    Murray is married to C of O grad Chance Bailey and has served as a dorm hall director at C of O the past two years. She’ll be bidding adieu to Point Lookout this month, as she and her husband move to Jefferson City.

    Both Murray and DeMuth have been part of C of O’s contingent of former players at The Courts in Springfield on a team called The Runnerups, obviously a reference to the program’s three straight national runner-up finishes.

    “I haven’t kept in basketball shape,” DeMuth said. “Who knows what (tonight’s game) is going to be like? I’m sure it will be competitive, but it’s sure to be ugly, too.”

C of O Alumni Game

Rebound and Rebuild

    Participating players — Ashley McCormick, Emily Bell, Emily Nichols, Josie Sparkman, Lindsy Murray, Kayla Messick, Stacey Collins, Jennifer Nichols, Megan Jewell, Megan Curry, Tara Wilson, Tina Cummins, Madison Culpepper, Angela Mallonee, Bethany Jenkins, Janessa DeMuth, Renee Garrison, Regan Houghston, Lindsey Messick, Allison Rader, Maria Henry, Molly Paulsen, Mindy Cutbirth